The fastest way to move playlists from Spotify to YouTube Music
The simplest method is to use a third-party transfer tool like Soundiiz or TuneMyMusic, which connect to both services and move your songs in one batch. You log into both accounts, select the Spotify playlist you want to move, and the tool searches for each song in YouTube Music's catalog and adds it. The process takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on playlist size, and most songs transfer successfully — though some older or obscure tracks may not have matches in YouTube Music's library.
If you prefer not to use a third-party tool, you can do it manually by exporting your Spotify playlist as a file and importing it into YouTube Music, but this requires more steps and works only if YouTube Music recognizes the file format. The manual route also takes longer for large playlists.
Key Takeaways
- Third-party tools like Soundiiz and TuneMyMusic are the fastest option and handle most playlists in under an hour.
- These tools require you to log into both your Spotify and YouTube Music accounts, but they do not store your passwords.
- Not every song transfers — YouTube Music's catalog is smaller than Spotify's, so some tracks may not have matches.
- You can also export your Spotify playlist as a CSV or text file and manually search for songs in YouTube Music, though this is slower for large playlists.
Using Soundiiz to transfer your playlist
Soundiiz is one of the most reliable transfer tools and works with both Spotify and YouTube Music. Go to soundiiz.com, click "Start a new transfer," and select Spotify as your source and YouTube Music as your destination. You will be asked to log into your Spotify account — Soundiiz will show you the permission screen, and you approve access to your playlists. You do not give Soundiiz your password; Spotify handles the login securely.
After Spotify connects, Soundiiz shows your playlists. Select the one you want to move and click "Transfer." The tool then searches YouTube Music's catalog for each song. Once the transfer is complete, Soundiiz creates a new playlist in your YouTube Music account with the same name. Check your YouTube Music app or website — the playlist appears in your library, usually within a few minutes.
Soundiiz is free for small playlists (up to 100 songs) and charges a one-time fee for larger transfers. TuneMyMusic and other similar tools follow the same basic flow and have comparable pricing.
What happens when songs do not transfer
YouTube Music's music library is smaller than Spotify's, especially for independent artists, live recordings, and regional music. When Soundiiz or another tool cannot find a match, it skips that song. After the transfer completes, the tool shows you a list of songs it could not match — typically 5 to 15 percent of a large playlist, depending on how niche your music taste is.
You have two options: search for the missing songs manually in YouTube Music and add them yourself, or leave them out. Some missing songs may be available under a slightly different artist name or album version, so a quick search is worth the time for your favorite tracks.
Transferring without a third-party tool
If you want to avoid third-party services, you can export your Spotify playlist and import it elsewhere. Open Spotify on desktop, right-click your playlist, and select "Share" — then choose "Copy Spotify URI" or "Copy Link." Paste this into a tool like Exportify (exportify.net), which converts your Spotify playlist into a CSV file you can download.
YouTube Music does not accept CSV imports directly, so you will need to use the CSV file with another tool like TuneMyMusic or manually search for each song. This method is slower than using a dedicated transfer tool from the start, so most people find it easier to just use Soundiiz or TuneMyMusic for the whole process.
Keeping playlists in sync after transfer
Once you transfer a playlist, changes you make in Spotify do not automatically update in YouTube Music. If you add new songs to your Spotify playlist, you have to add them to YouTube Music manually or run another transfer. Some third-party tools offer a "sync" feature that updates your YouTube Music playlist when you change the Spotify version, but this usually requires a paid subscription.
If you plan to keep using both services, decide which one will be your main playlist source and update that one. Then transfer or sync to the other service on a schedule — weekly, monthly, or whenever you add a batch of new songs.
Transferring multiple playlists at once
Most transfer tools let you move more than one playlist in a single session. After you connect your accounts, you see a list of all your Spotify playlists. Select the ones you want to move — you can usually check multiple boxes — and start the transfer. The tool processes them in sequence, which takes longer than moving one playlist but saves you from repeating the login steps.
For someone with dozens of playlists, this can take an hour or more. Start the transfer and check back periodically rather than waiting for it to finish. Once complete, all your playlists appear in your YouTube Music library with their original names.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to transfer my playlist?
Most tools are free for playlists under 100 songs. Soundiiz, TuneMyMusic, and similar services charge a one-time fee (usually $3 to $5) for larger transfers. You can transfer one small playlist free to test the service before paying.
Will the tool steal my passwords or login information?
Reputable tools like Soundiiz and TuneMyMusic use OAuth, which means you log in through Spotify and YouTube Music's own servers — the tool never sees your password. You can verify this by checking the login screen; it will show Spotify's or YouTube's branding, not the tool's.
What if YouTube Music does not have a song I want?
Search for it manually in YouTube Music using the artist and song title. If it is not there, you can add a local file (a song stored on your device) to your YouTube Music library, though this only works on desktop and mobile apps, not the web player.
Can I transfer a playlist someone else made?
You can transfer a public playlist you follow, but the transfer tool needs permission to access your YouTube Music account to create the new playlist. Private playlists you do not own cannot be transferred — you would need the owner to transfer it themselves or share the song list with you so you can recreate it.
How long does the transfer take?
A small playlist (under 50 songs) usually transfers in 5 to 10 minutes. Larger playlists take longer — 100 songs might take 20 to 30 minutes. The tool searches YouTube Music's catalog for each song, which takes time. You do not have to stay on the page while it runs.